The Premier League leaders head to Anfield next week for the first leg of the much-anticipated tie, with Guardiola prepared to switch his traditional pre-match routine in Europe.

City have usually trained at the club’s academy before flying out to face continental opposition the day before the match.

But against Jurgen Klopp’s side Guardiola has chosen to conduct his training at an empty Anfield.

City also plan to spend the night on Merseyside, despite a distance of just 36 miles between the clubs.

UEFA dispensation would have been required to train and stay closer to home, but Manchester United opted to wait until the day of the match to head to Liverpool when the sides were drawn against each other in the Europa League two years ago.